JONAL
John & Betty Young
Both our respective parents firmly agreed that one reason for our marriage was that having left home we could purchase our very own German Shepherd which was hitherto banned from our respective households. Well they may be correct but personally I could list a few other reasons but we won't go into that in a family publication.
We were married during my Army Embarkation Leave and I spent the next 18 months in active service in the Malaysian jungle where I received first hand experience of the GSD performing under true working conditions. No brownie points being awarded here. His success or failure determined the life or death of many men. No stupid excuses for any shortcomings because he had none. He was the patrol leader and we all respected him. One annoying aspect was when we received an Air Drop of supplies, his majesty got steak and I got hardtack! It is not my intention to bore you with Active Service Stories but merely to point out that the capabilities of true GSDs are endless. Ask yourself, if your life depended upon it would your stock be found wanting?
Let's take a hypothetical situation. If you have a beautiful constructed coward but by devious means you can camouflage his fault and go on to success should you be proud of your efforts? I think no! Such a person would have no hesitation in allowing this animal to be used at stud (assuming it is a male). We now have this undesirable seed scattered throughout our breed.
On my return home from Malaya the third thing we did was to purchase our very own GSD. (The second thing we did was to remove my backpack). And so began what was to become a lifetime's dedication to the GSD. To any young couple contemplating embarking on such a journey we would say, GO FOR IT! At the same time elect to befriend a few whose knowledge and experience are far superior to yours and listen with an open mind. We were privileged to have Judy Pilling and Elizabeth Moncreiffe in such a role. Always ready to advise and encourage but at the same time forever reminding usthat our pedestal has a very shaky leg.
During our time of separation Betty studied kennel management and breeding. One person whose advice was invaluable was a breeder of Banties (a small breed of hen). Breeding is Breeding. While the details may differ the basic principals remain the same, so satisfy your hunger for knowledge from whatever source possible.
Dogs which we both admired from the past are Granit, Swashbuckler, Premonition and High'n Mighty. From a breeding point of view Premonition and Cito v Konisbruch must rank high in the honours list. We have always been a small breeding kennel so our experience on the progeny from the many modern stud dogs available is limited to second hand information. Shows and surveys-but from what -can gather Rosehurst Chris, Cello v Ashera and Jonimay Shannan seem to be producing a very high standard in their offspring. We are sticking our necks out by mentioning young dogs who have the potential of sustaining the improvement within our breed. dogs that come to mind, Presidio Bilko, Cochees Digger, Jemness Atlas.but only time will tell.
Although both Betty and I have judged at CC level we are very much individuals with minds of our own which very often stimulates heated discussions. Friends once pointed out that when either of us use the term of endearment, 'Darling' to each other, sparks are about to fly, which is rapidly followed by a mass exodus of all present. Many years ago a young friend and I were preparing to campaign a young dog but continually complained to Betty about the way she was feeding the dog and its subsequent condition. Eventually she told us to go a far place and feed the dog ourselves. After 2 months and little success we crawled back to Betty begging forgiveness. Being the benevolent person she is she once again took over control of the dog's diet and very soon the dog gained his title. God how I hate to be proved wrong-especially by "Darling".
Turning to the affix of Jonal, this is a mixture of our son (John) and daughter (Alison). The best bitches in the UK must be both Catya of Vornlante and Nadja v Talquelle. Both worthy champions and both beautiful. The best foreign dog Uran v Wildstiegerland. The best foreign bitch Perle v Alexyro Hof.
